The bones of children are thinner and softer, for this reason, that they
contain more blood [than those of adults]; and they are porous and spongy,
and neither dense nor hard. And when wounded to a similar or inferior degree
by weapons of the same or even of an inferior power, the bone of a young
person more readily and quickly suppurates, and that in less time than
the bone of an older person; and in accidents, which are to prove fatal,
the younger person will die sooner than the elder. But if the bone is laid
bare of flesh, one must attend and try to find out, what even is not obvious
to the sight, and discover whether the bone be broken and contused, or
only contused; and if, when there is an indentation in the bone, whether
contusion, or fracture, or both be joined to it; and if the bone has sustained
any of these injuries, we must give issue to the blood by perforating the
bone with a small trepan, observing the greatest precautions, for the bone
of young persons is thinner and more superficial than that of elder
persons.